Under-the-sea World

After visiting the Cape No.7 filming location, Koggy went straight to see the museum of marine biology & aquarium nearby. It was pretty big and they do have lots of interesting looking friends we haven't seen before.

First, we said hi to our friends from "Finding Nemo"

Next, we went to see this mother and baby swimming around in the big tank We also met this new yellow friends who swim funny. And of course we had to see the "Happy Feet" crews Then, we went out to get some sun coz it was a bit cold around the penguin's habitat. Last but not least, we visited the souvenir shops *'0'* & ^(00)^

Clouds No. 7

Have any of you seen the movie "Cape No. 7?"

This movie was filmed in Kending (South part of Taiwan). Koggy was lucky enough to go visit 1 of the filming site and it is B-E-A-U tiful!

Look at the combination of clean sand, sea, and mountain with a nice clear blue sky and (last but definitely not least) cottoncandy-like-clouds! Piggy really wished she could fly so she could eat all the deliciously-looking-clouds up there.

Unfortunately, it's not a beach where one can lay down and soak up the sun. There was literally no one there, and it is NOT a public beach. But you can take as many pics as you want there for free and for as long as you want ;)

*'0'* & ^(00)^

Going down South

When going down South, we passed by lots of pretty bridges just like this one.

You'll know you've arrived down South when you see lots of these nuts vendor on the side of the road.

What's so special about these nuts? Well first of, it's XXS' favorite nuts! and secondly of course its unique shape! Moreover, the taste and texture is kinda like chestnut. If you're nowhere close to South of Taiwan, right about now you can find it in lots of places in Taipei (including several night markets).

*'0'* & ^(00)^

Bao An Station

Bao An Station is 1 of the older train station further down South.

There's a custom that started a few years ago, where the locals would come here and buy some train tickets to give to their friends and relatives as a souvenir or good wish. The tickets apparently haven't changed since then. So, here's a picture of ours (front and back). Can you read it? *'0'* & ^(00)^

Neiwan Station's Hidden Treasure

Another post that is long overdue is a review of this super delicious hidden treasure a bit further down south from Taoyuan.

It's conveniently located near the TRA Neiwan station.

price: $ (under NT$100 per plate)

Can you guess the what these are? If you guessed mochi then you got it right! The first dish was milk mochi in a cold sweet ginger soup with peanut, and the second one is milk mochi with crushed peanut. This milk mochi is NOT like other regular mochi. They're super soft and easily sliced by using your chopsticks. The taste is of course unique and delicious! The big ball of mochi on the small plate is mochicake (with cake + cream inside). We actually only ordered the mochi ball cake + mochi with crushed peanut but the ladyboss saw us (tourists) getting confused of what to order she threw us one of her favorites for free ;) So whenever you stop by Neiwan station, don't forget to visit her and her delicious milk mochi. Cheers, *'0'* & ^(00)^

Huashan Living Arts Festival

This Halloween weekend Koggy decided to do something different because we weren't sure what the locals usually do here during Halloween. But we once we heard about a fun & free festival here in Taipei we knew we shouldn't miss it.

Event: Huashan Living Arts Festival

Location: Huashan creative park (Zhongxiao xinsheng Exit 1, keep walking straight for less than 5 minutes)

Admission: free

It was true. We had lots of fun!!!

We shall speak no more coz pictures worth a thousand words.

Looking through the telescope Playing with the sea creatures Watching kids doodling on the glass & mirror Being kids doodling on the glass & mirror Saw a shooting star and watch the sky Saw a ghost while looking at the pretty sky How was your Halloween weekend? *'0'* & ^(00)^

Do(nut) eats before midnight!!!

First of, Koggy is terribly sorry for being MIA for so long on such short notice. We'll tell you our story of the "series of unfortunate events" another time, but in short Koggyland has been relocated to a better (but not bigger) location. So, we'll also do an update on Koggyland once everything is sorted out.

But anyway, today is actually a nice day with blue sky and white clouds and a wee bit of rain, after a whole week of non stop rain + wind (with typhoon alert). So Koggy went out for a bit and came back with a box of goodies from "Mister Donuts".

Just 5 mins ago, Piggy was so tempted to try these circle goodness so she jumped right into temptation and ate 1 ... and shared a bite with Koala. Both guilty as charged, dove into more carbs fest at about an hour before midnight. Let's hope that this would be a good start for a brand new NON-rainy week! Cheers, *'0'* & ^(00)^

home(sick)

One day while Koala was feeling a bit homesick, she saw something that she has seen many times before. But this time, it looked a bit different. It gave her an idea that might somehow cure the homesick feeling on her mind.

So then, Koala decided to have a go at it. She climbed and climbed like what she used to do back home ... "Climbing a tree is so much easier!" Koala exclaimed. Not too long after, Piggy came and joined her. But Piggy isn't much of a climber. So, Piggy showed Koala how she usually spends her day of R&R on a nice clean comfy blanket. Ah ... feels like home! Have a great weekend! *'0'* & ^(00)^

Surprise: Mooncake Party Madness

Yesterday was THE famous Mid-Autumn Festival (a.k.a. Moon Festival because it always fall on a full moon day), and Koggy had another Surprise. What is it this time?

Well, XXS decided to come and gave us a surprise visit and he brought some more mooncake. (We haven't even finished the first box he sent us!)

This box is actually bigger than the previous box and it's the ice cream "mooncake". Piggy was practically squealing when she saw the box.

We quickly opened the box and Koala was amazed by the colorful delicious goodness in front of her eyes while Piggy quickly went into the box and started dancing around these yummy babies.

This is the middle one which is also the biggest one. We decided to taste this one first since there are so many of us.

Look! It also got a "YOLK"... Koala who usually not very fond of the yolk, this time actually offers to eat all the yolk. Can you guess what the yolk is made of?

XoXo,

*'0'* & ^(00)^

Surprise: Mooncake Festival

When we got back home after that grocery shopping and McD dinner date, the security guy called us and gave us a surprise packaged. Oh how we love surprises!

This surprise package came from the one and only XXS! The mooncake festival is coming up next week and XXS doesn't want us to miss out on this event as well. So, he pre-ordered these yummy goodness so that we could have our taiwanesse mooncake on the festival day. Look at the pretty packaging and the different mooncake inside the pretty box. Thank you XXS! We hope you could be here and celebrate the festival with us next week. XoXo, *'0'* & ^(00)^

Our first Taipei McD experience

Today, we finally had our very first McD in Taipei. No, it's not because we misses McD's super delicious and unhealthy fries. BUT, it was because right after Koggy's done grocery shopping, Piggy was waayyy too hungry (she almost fainted) and the only restaurant that happened to be next to the supermarket was a McD. So, we finally caved in and decided to check out this local McD.

The menu is pretty much the same as the ones in the US or any other western countries, except that they have a special going on right now where some meals are buy 1 get the second one half off.

We can't believee that the BigMac is actually SMALLER than the chicken sub! Good thing Piggy ordered the Chicken Sub and not the small BigMac *winks*

Oh, and the interesting thing about the McD here is that they're so full of people ... all kinds of people, from family with kids, teens, young adults, friends, student + tutor, and ...

...including businessman in a suit!

XoXo,

*'0'* & ^(00)^

brown paper packages tied up with strings

After discovering a new place to eat nearby our house and had a quick lunch, Koggy went home to cool down (coz its just so HOT outside). As soon as we entered the lobby of our building, we were greeted by the happy security whom we called the "Hi" guy (because all he ever said is "Hi" everytime he sees any one of us). But today, he said something a bit more than usual. He told us to wait as he approached our mailbox and showed us a lil brown box. He then asked us if it was for us, and sure it was!

It's a very nice surprise from Piggy's friend in Oregon, USA.

So, what's inside the nice lil package? It was filled with lots of pink goodies! Look at all these cute pink Piggy kitchen stuff ... Now, we could make some mini piggy pancake or piggy egg for breakfast! Piggy is so happy with the very nice surprise =) Thank you and hope you have a great weekend! ^(00)^

Our maiden HSR ride

A while ago, Koggy went on our very first adventure on the HSR (which stands for High Speed Rail), Taiwan's version of the shinkansen.

The HSR was surprisingly very comfortable, not to mention FAST! ;p The seats were very comfy and you can EAT and drink on the HSR! (not like on the MRT, where they supposedly fine you) We decided to visit the lovely neighboring city of Taoyuan (which is where the International airport is located). Since it was such a lovely day outside and Taoyuan being a coastal city, Koggy decided to check out the local fish market there. And behold... all the gorgeous fresh seafood we saw! There were so many different types of crabs, shellfish, fish and other marine delicacies! Super fresh plump sea cucumbers... Locally produced smoked fish roe... Fantastically fresh & warm fish floss in so many varieties! (amazing melt-in-your mouth texture, we kid you not!) Restaurant quality sashimi, roe cakes, and REAL crab sticks! Red frog crabs (yes, FROG crabs... looked as if they could jump right out and pinch us! ouch!) The freshest fishballs we have ever had (one bowl came with 5 different varieties)! More snacky food along the pier... We even found the peanut-brittle ice cream wrap here too! We enjoyed our snacks at the pier under the clear cloudless sky and in the company of a couple new local friends (who we'll call Gou Ma & her 2 puppies)... Another fabulous spontaneous day to put in the books! ^_^ XoXo, *'0'* & ^(00)^